Another Embarrassment for Sukhu Govt as Himachal HC Orders Closure of 18 State-Run Hotels

Shimla: In a major blow to Sukhu government, Himachal Presh High Court has ordered closure of 18 state-run hotels as y were ‘loss-making properties with poor occupancy’. This comes after Himachal Presh HC issued an order on Monday, allowing sale of state Bhavan in Delhi because Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's government failed to pay electricity dues amounting to approximately Rs 150 crore.

Big Blow to Sukhu Govt! Himachal Presh HC Shuts 18 State-Run Hotels

Eighteen loss-making hotels of Himachal Presh Tourism Development Corporation with poor occupancy were ordered to be shut down by high court on Tuesday.

A single-judge bench of of Justice Ajay Mohan Goel said that HPTDC properties should be shut by November 25 and directed that managing director of corporation would be personally responsible to ensure enforcement of order.

properties were being closed as y are financially viable, court said, ding that public resources should not wasted by HPTDC in upkeep of "se white elephants".

Why Have 18 State-Run Hotels Been Closed in Himachal Presh?

occupancy in se hotels are "much more dismal" than what court's expectation, which demonstrates that HPTDC has has not been able to utilise its properties to earn profit, judge said. corporation handed over occupancy figures for last three years in 56 hotels currently run by it, in compliance with last order passed by court.

court, in its order on Tuesday, said that continuation of functioning of se properties is nothing but a burden on state exchequer. bench has taken a judicial notice of fact that re is a financial crunch in state, which is reflected in matters involving finances listed before court, order said.

"Passing a detailed order on September 17, 2024, court expected that respondents would come up with something cogent and concrete to augment resources of corporation but till dictation of this order, not even a small pebble has been moved or turned in this direction by corporation", order said.

court also ordered that skeletal staff which is necessary for upkeep of properties mentioned be retained in premises and corporation will be at liberty to transfer remaining of its employees so that its need in or places are duly met.

judge directed managing director of HPTDC to file a compliance affidavit regarding implementation of order to close hotels. MD was also directed to furnish a list of superannuated Class-IV employees and deceased former staff, so that amount generated from dues received by HPTDC can be released to m and ir families, according to order.

corporation will also inform court regarding dues paid to it by government and private entities on next date of hearing on December 3, it said. 

Loss-Making State-Run Hotels in Himachal Presh Closed, Check List

Palace Hotel (Chail), Hotel Geetanjali (Dalhousie), Hotel Baghal (Darlaghat); Hotel Dhaulhar, Hotel Kunal Dharamshala and Hotel Kashmir House (Dharamshala); Hotel Apple Blossom (Fagu), Hotel Chandrabhaga (Keylong), Hotel Devdar (Khajiar), Hotel Giriganga (Kharapatthar), Hotel Meghdoot (Kiarighat), Hotel Sarvan (Kullu); Hotel Log Huts, Hotel Himba Cottage and Hotel Kunzum (Manali); Hotel Lihagsa (Mcleodganj), Castle (Naggar) and Hotel Shivalik (Parwanoo) will be closed by this Monday, as per order.

(Inputs from PTI)